Use of toxicants for coyote control by livestock producers in Alberta

This paper examines and evaluates the use of strychnine baits and cyanide guns for coyote (Canis latrans) control by livestock producers in Alberta. Livestock predation occurred almost exclusively during spring, summer, and fall; livestock predation was negligible during winter. In contrast, use of toxicants was negligible in spring, distributed rather evenly through the summer and fall, and most intense in mid-winter. Forty-eight percent of the producers set toxicants in response to predation, and 1/2 of these apparently resolved their predator problems. Fifty-five percent of the producers set toxicants for preventive control, predominantly during October-February when the effectiveness of control was probably negligible or at least minimal. Overall, the program may be less than 30% effective. The producer-training program must be re-examined in an effort to make coyote control more effective. Preventative control with toxicants, where necessary, should be conducted immediately prior to the whelping season or no more than a month in advance of anticipated livestock losses. Changes in livestock management must be emphasized.